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WorksheetsAct III Othello
Total questions: 15
Worksheet time: 11mins
Who is this?
Lago
Iago
At the beginning of the act, Othello says "Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul, but I do love thee! And when I love thee not, Chaos is come again!” (III. iii. 100-103).
How does Othello's use of hyperbole (exaggeration) here characterize him and foreshadow the conflict to follow?
Othello is characterized as someone who feels his emotions deeply and intensely, and it suggests that the world is affected by Othello's emotions; this section foreshadows Othello's upcoming conflict with his wife if he believes Iago's lies about Desdemona's and Cassio's infidelities.
Othello is characterized as an unfeeling person who sees his marriage to Desdemona as another "win" or "conquest;" this section foreshadows his upcoming conflict with person vs society, since Venice sees him as an outsider who has conquored one of their own.
Othello is characterized as a competent general in this section of the text; it foreshadows his conflict with Montano because Montano may try to take his job as general.
During their conversation, Iago says " "Men should be what they seem; Or those that be not, would they might seem none!” (III. iii. 147-149). What literary device does Shakespeare use here and why?
Simile: Iago is comparing honest men to dishonest men. This use of simile highlights Iago's desire for all men to be honest and present themselves in an honest way. It highlights his values.
Verbal irony: Iago is stating that men should not lie, and while Othello has no idea that Iago is a liar, the audience knows the truth. This use of irony highlights Iago's duplicity and Othello's misplaced trust in him.
Personification: Iago personifies honest men as dishonest men. This use of personification highlights the theme of honesty.
Iago told Cassio that reputation doesn't matter, but here he tells Othello, “Good name, in men and women dear my lord, is the immediate jewel of the soul ... Who steals my purse steals trash… but he that filches (or steals) from me my good name… makes me poor indeed” (III. iii. 182-190).
What literary device is used here, and for what purpose?
Metaphor: He compares reputation to a jewel to highlight its importance. He will use Cassio's reputation as a disgraced ladies' man to convince Othello that Cassio is having an affair with Desdemona.
Shakespeare utilizes imagery here. Iago's vivid descriptions activate the five senses, drawing in the audience and allowing them to feel as if they are in the scene with him and Othello.
Simile: He compares reputation to both a jewel and to trash in order to explain to Othello just how unstable the idea of reputation is.
Iago tells Othello, "“... it is my nature's plague to spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy shapes faults that are not” (III. iii. 173-174), What device is Shakespeare using here, and why?
Imagery:Iago's descriptive word choice activates the 5 senses, making the audience feel as if they are there, experiencing the scene with Iago and Othello.
Metaphor: Iago is comparing himself to a spy, suggesting that he knows more about people's secrets than they know themselves.
Personification: Iago's own jealousy has "shaped" ideas that are not true (for example the idea that Othello is sleeping with Iago's wife) and he knows that jealousy can affect someone's feelings.
Othello initially refuses to believe the lies Iago is telling, saying, "No Iago, I’ll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove; And on that doubt, there is no more but this: away at once with love or jealousy” (III. iii. 220-224).
What type of literary device does Shakespeare utilize here, and why?
Symbolism: It highlights Othello's emotional instability and his hidden insecurities, suggesting that Othello is idealistic in the way he views relationships.
Metaphor: He compares love and jealousy; he sees them as the same thing and he knows that true love must also be jealous-- and want that love all to himself.
Personification: Othello dismisses Iago's ideas that he should be jealous since there is no proof. He states that if there is proof of Desdemona's cheating, both his love AND his jealousy (personified) will leave him.
Iago sows seeds of doubt in Othello's mind about Desdemona, telling him to watch her with Cassio. He also states that he, Iago, knows Venetian women well, and Venetian women cheat. Secret love affairs are just a normal part of Venetian society.
What type of conflict is NOT being developed here?
Person vs. Self: Othello is starting to question Desdemona's love for him, making him feel confused and jealous.
Person vs. Circumstance: Iago has begun something that cannot be stopped-- fate is now in control.
Person vs. Person: Iago is using these lies to exact his revenge against Othello for not giving him the lieutenancy.
Who is this and what is she doing?
Emilia, stealing Desdemona's handkerchief for her husband, Iago.
Olivia, stealing Desdemona's handkerchief for her husband, Cassio.
Desdemona, disguising herself in order to steal her own handkerchief and give it to Cassio.
Roderigo, disguised as a woman, stealing the handkerchief to give to Iago.
In Iago's soliloquy in this act, he says "The Moore already changes with my poison." What does he mean by this?
He has been poisoning Othello with sleeping pills in order to make him feel overly tired and disoriented.
He has begun giving Othello deadly drugs-- since Othello is distracted with all of the drama Iago is stirring up, he won't notice that he's dying.
He has been "poisoning" Othello with his lies. While it's not a real poison and just a metaphor, he can see the physical effects of his deceit on Othello.
In Act II, when he is breaking up the fight between Montano and Cassio, Othello stated that his anger can become problematic. How is Iago taking advantage of this knowledge, and how will this cause a conflict.
Which of the following is NOT true.
He knows that Othello wants to act rationally but is too easily swayed by his emotions (person vs. self).
His anger will turn him against everyone he loves (i.e. Cassio, Desdemona) and isolate him (person vs. society).
He knows that jealousy will create a rift between him and Desdemona, potentially ruining their relationship (person vs. person).
He knows that Othello is fated to become the greatest general of all time, and he is hoping to ride on his coattails as his right-hand man (person vs. circumstance).
Iago tells Othello a story that Cassio had gotten into his bunk in the middle of the night and "... would he grip and wring my hand ... and then kiss me hard, as if he plucked up kisses by the roots that grew upon my lips" (III.iii.477-479).
What device does Othello use here, and what's the purpose?
He uses a simile to compare Cassio to a kiss in order to illustrate Cassio's good looks.
He uses imagery to paint a picture for Othello of Cassio's actions while he was supposedly dreaming about Desdemona.
He uses verbal irony to explain to Othello how ludicrous it would be for Cassio to make a move on Desdemona-- just as crazy as it would be for Cassio to make a move on Iago himself.
He uses personification to give Cassio's lips the human attributes of growing like a tree.
Who is this and why is she important?
Blanca. She is Iago's plant used to send Cassio astray.
Bianca. She is a prostitute who is seeing Cassio.
Emilia. She is Iago's wife and is being unfaithful by sleeping with Cassio.
Rodriguette. She is Roderigo's first wife and is trying to get back at him.
What is the handkerchief a symbol of, and how does it help to support a theme?
The handkerchief is a symbol of money; relationships should be based on what will benefit each party.
The handkerchief is a symbol of loyalty; relationships are built on trust, and once that trust is broken, the relationship may crumble.
When Othello asks for the handkerchief, Desdemona lies about having the handkerchief and evades the question by talking about Cassio and his reinstatement to the lieutenancy.
WHY does Desdemona lie and then change topics to Cassio, and how does that create more conflict?
Desdemona lies because Othello tells an elaborate story in which he reveals that the handkerchief is MAGIC, and if she loses it, he will stop loving her. It scares her. So she shifts the topic to Cassio. Her shift from the handkerchief to Cassio causes more person v person conflict between her and Othello, as it helps to solidify their "affair" in his mind.
Desdemona lies because she is having an affair with Cassio and wants Othello to reinstate him as lieutenant so he can stay in Cyprus and they can continue their secret love meetings.
This focus creates person v person conflict for her and Othello because she will become angry at Othello for not reinstating her lover to his position.
Desdemona lies because she is a liar. She's a lying liar. She's a pathological liar.
This creates internal conflict for her because she doesn't like being a liar, but it's fun to lie. She struggles with telling the truth.
Do you still know how to do Desdemona's dance?
Of course! I've been practicing.
Ummm... Who is Desdemona?
